The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1887-10-13
BY Your Own Effort.

Students not infrequently entertain
an erroneous idea Of the power Of
schools and teachers to make them
wise. We do not necessarily learn
law by attending law school, nor by
sitting for number of months in II
lawyers Office, A knowledge of med
icine is not absorbed by attending a
medical college. Long and patient
study is required by the would-be
lawyer or physician, and if he is not
possessed of fair degree of enthusi-
asm for his chosen pursuit he will
make but little progress.
Choice of occupation is not neces-
sarily question of what is the most
honorable or what the most lucrative
employment, The honor OF an occu-
patton arises from its usefulness to
mankind and in general an art, pro-
fession or business is lucrative accord
ing to the demand upon it and the
skill with which it is conducted,
Thousands Of earnest young men are
thoughtfully bordering this question
of occupation. In many cases the
road seems hedged with difficulties,
turn which way they will. Physical
and mental constitution may have
pointed them out as brain workers.
Taste and aptitude may not lead them
to the shop Or farm, nor do they in
cline to what are called the learned
professions. 1t is the duty, as it is
the pleasure, of every one to do what
he can do best. To such ambitious
minds the school of business makes
its appeal. 1t is for the benefit of
this class that it exists 1t furnishes
the most direct, the nearest path to
business success. 1t calls to
every one who would improve his con-
dition, laying before him paths OF So
cial and commercial preferment So
cial, in that 1t enables him to attain
standing among his fellows; CONNER
cial, by placing in his grasp the bust
ness interests of great country
Though they require thought and
attention, the commercial branches
are among the pleasantest and most
easily acquired OF any special course
of study now considered worthy of
: general attention. The science of ac-
counts calls into exercise the mathe-
NAUTICAL ability, cultivates accuracy OF
statement, and by its beautiful sys-
tenn ofequilibrium appeals stron ely
to that sense of justice which is in.
nate in every person. There is no art
or science that brings better returns
! for the outlay of time and money re-
t quired in its acquisition mad there j,
t no surer and pleasanter way of get
ting livelihood, and no better step
plngstone to success. Here an(
/ there we see a so-called natural" mu
sician, or mechanic who picked
Z up" knowledge of his craft but i
e will generally be found that the effort
: of the natural musician and tn
t work Of the untaught mechanic are bu
T Indifferent performances compared
G with those of the regularly educatet
Z musician and the trained artisan. In
r. dustry intelligently directed is tn
q law that governs excellence, and pei
j severance only wins the crown of sue
cess.
:, Young men, which path will yor
I choose? Will you by idleness, slot
{, and Indifference repine and say, "
! can do nothing?" or will you best
= yourselves lay by your small carr
s ings, work with cheerfulress and hop
a and enter upon course that wi
y surely bring honor, contentment, hal
u piness? The choice is yours to MAKE